Trump now tied with Clition nationally according to Real Clear Poltics average

[Thumpalumpacus]

I agree, China does not have good intentions in some areas. But I'm asking people to compare China to the United States. Which country has done more wrong?

And before America was top dog, which country had the most interventions/colonial policing actions/meddling in the affairs of others? That's right, the UK. It is not a coincidence that the UK was top dog at the time. Spain, ditto.

The point is that unchallenged power tends to be abused, and we here in America are no exception to that historical trend. More to the point, neither is China. And China is bound by fewer international ties to play nice, meaning that like most other countries, they bow to main force.

That force is built, funded, and maintained by America. Like it or not, the world benefits from it in many ways that aren't a result of our misdeeds in the Middle East.

I personally think, given it's shortly to be bigger population, India will become more powerful than China at some point. But let's not get sidetracked on that.

Actually, I find that point interesting ... it's something I've been thinking about lately. I think India should be the focus of America's policy in Asia, precisely be they are a democracy with so much potential and a natural counterbalance to China. I don't think India will get near to equaling China in the next couple of generations, but partnered with America can be part of a bloc powerful enough to deter open war from the Chinese.

The point is, the United States government is full of hypocrites.

Of course. Thank you for taking the time to distinguish between the government and us citizens. As I wrote in a book years ago (never published, unsubmittted):

I'm still of the opinion that if we as a country truly desire peace for that troubled part of the world -- or any other -- then we should export democratic principles and respect for human rights along with missile batteries and the jet fighters that they shoot down. As trite and simplistic as that may read, I firmly believe that a major reason for the terrorism directed against us is the fact that our high words and ideals rarely are matched by our deeds. We talk a great deal about freedom, equality, and the rule of law, and we point to the ideals ensconced in our Declaration of Independence and Bill of Rights; but when these principles collide with our economic or geopolitical goals, they are invariably shunted aside in favor of a convenient alliance with a tyrant, who ends up in the scrap-heap of history along with our long-term goals. This is borne out with dismaying frequency in our history.